@KwestaDaKAR is the king of #SAMA23

Rapper Kwesta left with an armload of SAMA statuettes this evening at the Sun City Superbowl, North West.

Cementing his place as a hip-hop force to be reckoned with, Kwesta started his winning streak last night when he won the Best Collaboration Album at the industry awards. Tonight he collected five – Samro Highest Airplay of the Year, SAMPRA Highest Airplay of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Male Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year for his Dakar II album and hit single Ngud. His trophy haul stands at six in one year.

Newcomer Amanda Black had an impressive run, picking up two of the top 5 awards – Best Newcomer of the Year and Best Female Artist of the Year, adding to her silverware the Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album award that she won last night, making her a three time SAMA winner on her debut album.

Nasty C secured the much coveted and public voted Record of the Year award with his song Hell Naw.

Dance pair Black Motion won the Best Duo/Group of the Year and Best Dance Album. The high kicking Dr Malinga snapped the Best Kwaito Album award while crooner Vusi Nova secured the Best Afro Pop Album trophy.

In the traditional front, Khuzani with his album Inyoni Yomthakathi won Best Maskandi Album. And in the gospel stakes Spirit of Praise won Best Traditional Faith Music Album while the African Indigenous Gospel Album went to Living in Christ Legends.

The star studded award show hosted by television and radio personality Somizi Mhlongo and comedian extraordinaire Tumi Morake also saw the industry pay respects to its own legends. Rebecca Malope, Don Laka and Babsy Mlangeni were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards.

International soprano Pretty Yende received the International Recognition Award for her work in opera around the world.

Amadodana ase Wesile gave a pleasant surprise as they teamed up with exciting new talents Soul Kulture and Thee Legacy as well as rock veteran Arno Carstens for harmonies and melodies we won’t forget in a hurry.

Bongani Radebe, the new and skilful sax genius accompanied the moving In Memoriam tribute.

The night’s performances were closed with a spectacular collaboration by dance stars Naakmusiq, DBN Finest (DJ Tira & Sox Feat. Professor), Babes Wodumo (featuring Mampintsha, Cassper and Dancers) and OkMalumKoolKat who got together for a pulsating and energetic finale.

Comments Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of RiSA: ‘By all accounts this has been a successful SAMA 23. We applaud all the winners and nominees, and the music loving South Africans who have supported these awards. We are encouraged by the generosity of our sponsors and all stakeholders, media included in this great project. South African music can only grow from here. See you at SAMA 24.’

Complete list of winners:

Best Newcomer of the Year – Amanda Black – Amazulu
Best Duo-Group of the Year – Black Motion – Ya Badimo
Best Female Artist of the Year – Amanda Black – Amazulu
Best Male Artist of the Year – Kwesta – Dakar II
Best Album of the Year – Kwesta – Dakar II
Record of the Year – Nasty C – Hell Naw
Best Maskandi Album – Khuzani – Inyoni yomthakathi
Classical Instrumental Album – Charl du Pleassis Trio – Baroqueswing Vol.II
Best Afro Pop Album – Vusi Nova – Vusi Nova
African Indigenous Gospel Album – Living In Christ Legends – Living In Christ Legends
Best Rock Album – Albert Frost – The Wakeup
Best Pop Album – GoodLuck – The Nature Within
Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album – Joshua na die Reen – Die Wereld Binne My
Best Rap Album – Kwesta – Darak II
Best Kwaito Album – Dr Malinga – Goodwill
Best Dance Album – Black Motion – Ya Badimo
Best Traditional Faith Music Album – Sprit of Praise – Spirit of Praise Vol.6
Samro Highest Airplay of the Year – Ngud – Kwesta
SAMPRA Highest Airplay of the Year – Ngud – Kwesta

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